Antianxiety Effect of Black Pepper on Indomethacin Induced Anxiety in Zebrafish

Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders are the most common prevalent condition that affects both emotion and cognitive behavior. Annual prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder increased from 5.4% in 2020 to 6.6% in 2023, with a 3-year prevalence of 10.3% over the 2021–2023 period. The projected annual incidence ranged from 2.1% to 2.3%. Studies shown anxiolytic property due to the presence of chemical compounds like piperine, paprazine, cepharadione a, ciperolactam d, 10 – tricosanone and sylvamide. It also decreases motor deficits and improves memory function.

Materials and Methods: It is a preclinical study, done in animal house, DSMCH. The study was initiated after getting approval from IAEC. Sixty adult zebra fish are grouped in 6 groups as normal control, toxic control (indomethacin), standard drug (Diazepam), Test drug treatment (Piper Nigrum low, intermediate and high dose). Anxiety was induced in zebrafish by exposing to indomethacin 8 mg/l for 60 min and standard drug/ test drug for 30 min. Behavioral assessment was done using novel tank test.

Results: Indomethacin treated shows increased time spent in lower zone while treatment groups (group 3, 4, 5 & 6) showed more time spent on upper zone similar to control group. Number of transitions were more in toxic group and reduced in treatment and normal control groups. Abnormal swimming speed, erratic movements and thigmotaxis were found in all 10 fishes in indomethacin group while abnormal swimming speed, erratic movements and thigmotaxis were found in 3 fishes in group 3 & 5, 5 fishes in group 4, 2 fishes in group 6. Abnormal swimming pattern, Zig zag swimming, bottom dwelling was found in all 10 fishes in group 2 while swimming pattern and Zig zag swimming were found in 3 fishes in group 3 & 5, 5 fishes in group 4, 2 fishes in group 6. Bottom dwelling was seen 5 in group 3, 3 in group 4 and 2 in group 5 & 6. Freezing episodes were seen only in group 2

Conclusion: Piper nigrum (black pepper) treated group showed decreased in anxiety. Reduction levels are statistically significant with diazepam treated groups